Samantha Ducloux Waltz is seeking first-person essays from women who are or have been part of stepfamilies that are nurturing places and also stepfamilies where family members must find ways to rise above the challenges they face/d at home. She is looking for a diversity of voices and welcome submissions from a variety of family situations. As an editor she values honesty, clarity, specificity, showing, not telling, tight writing, and the sharing of insights. Pieces should be between 2,000 and 4,000 words in length.
WORKING TITLE: STEPPING UP: Stories of Blended Families
SOME QUESTIONS MIGHT BE CONSIDERED IN YOUR STORY:
- How did you get into a step situation?
- Were you initially delighted, devastated, or ?
- What are/were your greatest joys?
- What are/were your greatest challenges?
- How did being part of a stepfamily affect your perception of yourself? Of others?
- How do you think others perceived you because of your step status?
- What labels were you comfortable/uncomfortable with?
- What cultural myths did you have to fight? How did you fight them?
- Are there things you missed in a stepfamily that a nuclear family might provide? Things you gained?
PAYMENT: $100.00 upon publication and two copies of the published book.
More than half the families in America are living in step. Some work beautifully, but more than 60 % are torn with conflict and will end in dissolution. Parents and children currently living in stepfamilies, or coming from them and making their own way as adults, have stories that will entertain, inform, perhaps trouble but ultimately inspire us.
Submit through Samantha's website. Please include a list of any previous publication credits with your query or submission.
View the full call for submissions at literarymama.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
For submissions: through the editor's website
Website: http://www.pathsofthought.com